Activities of Sabine WILS related to 2011/2308(INI)
Plenary speeches (4)
Environmental impacts of shale gas and shale oil extraction activities - Industrial, energy and other aspects of shale gas and oil (debate)
Environmental impacts of shale gas and shale oil extraction activities - Industrial, energy and other aspects of shale gas and oil (debate)
Environmental impacts of shale gas and shale oil extraction activities - Industrial, energy and other aspects of shale gas and oil (debate)
Environmental impacts of shale gas and shale oil extraction activities - Industrial, energy and other aspects of shale gas and oil (debate)
Shadow reports (1)
REPORT on the environmental impacts of shale gas and shale oil extraction activities PDF (255 KB) DOC (171 KB)
Amendments (51)
Amendment 1 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 6 a (new)
Citation 6 a (new)
- having regard to Directive 2009/147/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 November 2009 on the conservation of wild birds,[1][1] OJ L 020 26.01.2010, p. 7
Amendment 2 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 7
Citation 7
– having regard to Directive 2008/110/75/ECU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 January 2008 concerning 24 November 2010 on industrial emissions (integrated pollution prevention and control (IPPC Directive)7 )[1][1] OJ L 334 17.12.2010, p. 17,
Amendment 4 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 10 a (new)
Citation 10 a (new)
- having regard to Directive 2003/87/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 October 2003 establishing a scheme for greenhouse gas emission allowance trading (as amended)[1]; and Decision 406/2009/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 April2009 on the effort of Member States to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions to meet the Community's greenhouse gas emission reduction commitments up to 2020[2],[1] OJ L 338 13.11.2004, p. 18-23 [2] OJ L 140 05.06.2009, p. 136
Amendment 5 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 11 a (new)
Citation 11 a (new)
- having regard to Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures (aligning existing EU legislation to the United Nations Globally Harmonised System (GHS))[1][1] OJ L 353, 31.12.2008, p.1
Amendment 6 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 17 a (new)
Citation 17 a (new)
- having regard to Petitions 886/2011 (on extraction of shale gas in Poland) and 1378/2011(on the risks associated with shale gas exploration and extraction in Bulgaria) of the Committee on Petition.
Amendment 8 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 18
Citation 18
– having regard to Articles 4, 11, 191, 192, 193 and 194 of the Treaty on the Functioning of European Union,
Amendment 10 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas recent technological advancements have already spurred a rapid, commercial-scale extraction of unconventional fossil fuels (UFF) in certain parts of the world, significantlyperceived as increasing energy security, strengthening the overall economy and increasing employment, competitiveness and innovativeness, however resulting also in significant negative impacts on the environment and public health;
Amendment 13 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas hydraulic fracturing and extraction of unconventional fossil fuels contradict EU climate objectives, risk delaying the necessary economic transition away from fossil fuels and have negative impacts on employment, competitiveness and innovation in other economic sectors, in particular agriculture, tourism, and other activities dependent on water and ecosystem services;
Amendment 16 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas the extraction of unconventional fossil fuels results in extremely high CO2 emissions and stimulates uncontrollable climate change;
Amendment 19 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas the Energy Roadmap 2050 indentifies that gas willcould be critical for the transformation of the energy system by helping to reduce emissions; whereas the EP resolution on Low Carbon Roadmap 2050 acknowledges that power sector needs to practically decarbonise by 2050; whereas the Commission notes that shale gas and other UFF willcould become a verypotential important new source of supply in or around Europe;
Amendment 24 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas increasing oil and gas extraction results in a lowering of the incentive to switch to renewable energies;
Amendment 26 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B b (new)
Recital B b (new)
Bb. whereas unconventional fossil fuels are superfluous in terms of the switching of the energy system to renewable energies;
Amendment 28 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas the two maincombination of two techniques deployed in unleashing the UFF potential of shale gas and coal bed methane, horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing, have been used for decades; should not be mistaken for well stimulation techniques used for the extraction of conventional fossil fuels due to the combination of these two techniques and the scale of intervention involved;
Amendment 33 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas important analysis is still ongoing and there is a growing need for further and continuous research; whereas the existence and transparency of data, sampling and tests is paramount to high- quality research in support of proper regulation that will protect public health and the environment;
Amendment 34 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas the estimated level of deposits of unconventional fossil fuels in the EU has already had to be corrected downwards to a significant degree several times in the past;
Amendment 35 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas any type of fossil fuel and mineral extraction involves potential risks for the environmenthuman health and the environment, including those triggered by climate change; whereas it is essential that a precautionary principle be applied to any future decisions about the development of fossil fuel resources in Europe in order to minimise such risks via , taking into accountinuous research, proper management, regulation and monitoring at potential impacts from all stages of the exploration and exploitation process;
Amendment 42 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Recital E a (new)
E a. whereas many governments in Europe, such as France, Bulgaria, North Rhine Westphalia in Germany, Fribourg and Vaud in Switzerland, as well as a number of US states (North Carolina, New York, New Jersey, and Vermont and more than 100 local governments) and other countries around the world (South Africa, Quebec in Canada, New South Wales in Australia) currently have a ban or moratorium in place on the use of hydraulic fracturing for the extraction of oil and gas from shale or other 'tight' rock formations;
Amendment 43 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E b (new)
Recital E b (new)
E b. whereas a number of Member States, such as the Czech Republic, Romania and Germany, are currently considering a moratorium on the exploration and extraction of oil and gas from shale or other 'tight' rock formations;
Amendment 48 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Urges Member States to not allow further shale gas, shale oil and coal bed methane activities to proceed given the serious environmental and health risks involved in hydraulic fracturing to extract shale gas;
Amendment 56 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Believes that, given the relative novelty of UFF to the general public, a thorough assessment should be conductedhydraulic fracking and UFF must be subject to a thorough human health and environmental impact assessment on the basis of the European regulatory framework and improvement measures taken, where necessary, in line with Treaty principles;
Amendment 61 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Stresses that prevailing expert opinion indicates thatWhile some of the inherent risks of UFF extraction, most of which are are partly common to conventional fossil fuel extraction, and could be contained through pre-emptive measures, including proper planning, testing, use of new technologies, best practices and continuous data collection, monitoring and reporting; considers that as a minimum it is necessary to require measuring for baseline levels of naturally occurring methane and chemicals in groundwater in aquifers, and current air quality levels at potential drilling sites, before the beginning of new hydraulic fracturing or other UFF exploration or extraction;
Amendment 65 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Welcomes the Commission's preliminary assessment on the EU environmental legal framework applicable to UFFhydraulic fracturing; urges the Commission to use its powers regarding proper transposition and application of key EU environmental acts in all Member States, and issue without delay guidance on the establishment of baseline water monitoring data necessary for environmental impact assessment of shale gas exploration and extraction, as well as criteria to be used for assessing impacts of hydraulic fracturing to groundwater reservoirs in different geological formations, including potential leakage, and cumulative impacts;
Amendment 68 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4 b. Notes that methane is a powerful greenhouse gas, the emissions of which must be fully accounted for under either Directive 2003/87 (ETS) or Decision 406/2009 (the 'effort sharing decision');
Amendment 71 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Stresses that proper regulation of UFF exploration and extraction ultimately depends on the competence and resources of the relevant national authorities; calls on Member States, therefore, to ensure proper training and international exchafull compliance with existing EU legislation, sufficient human and technical capacities for monitoring, inspection and enforcement of permitted activities, includinge programmesper training for the staff of the competent national authorities, and to establish a coordinating platform to oversee the UFF responsibilities of the various competent authorities;
Amendment 75 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Notes the importance of the work undertaken by reputable institutions, notably the International Energy Agency (IEA), to prepare a comprehensive Best Available Techniques (BAT) reference document on hydraulic fracturing; calls on the Commission to cooperate with the Member States, the IEA and industry associations to this endguidance on best practice regarding regulations for unconventional gas and hydraulic fracturing;
Amendment 79 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7 a. Calls on the Commission to include shale gas extraction under the Industrial Emissions Directive and requirements regarding Best Available Techniques, in addition to the waste treatment requirements under Mining Waste Directive;
Amendment 82 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Recognises that industry bears primary responsibility for preventing and reacting to accidents and calls for Member States to require from operators sufficient compulsory financial guarantees for environmental and civil liability for responding to any accidents or unintended negative impacts, at all stages of exploration, exploitation and dismantling; welcomes the progress made by the industry in setting high environmental and safety standards, but notes that strong concerns about the sufficiency of such standards still exists; stresses the importance of monitoring the industry's compliance by means of regular inspections carried out by trained and independent specialists;
Amendment 84 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Calls on the Commission to introduce opportunities for funding research projects in environmentally ameliorative UFF technologies within the framework of EU research and development (R&D) programmes such as Horizon 2020 and the European Strategic Energy Technology Plan (SET)energy companies active in the field of UFF extraction to invest in research in improving the environmental performance of UFF technologies; urges EU-based undertakings and academic institutions to develop relevant cooperative R&D programmes leading to greater safety inunderstanding about the safety and risks in UFF exploration and production (E&P) operations;
Amendment 87 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10 a. Recalls the G20 commitment to phase out fossil fuels subsidies; concludes consequently that exploration and exploitation of fossil fuels sources, including unconventional sources, must not be subsidised from public funds;
Amendment 88 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 b (new)
Paragraph 10 b (new)
10 b. Considers that mutual non- disclosure agreements regarding damage to environmental, human and animal health, that have been practiced between landowners in the vicinity of shale gas wells and shale gas operators in the US would not be in line with Union and Member State obligations under the Aarhus convention, the Access to Information directive (2003/04/EC) and the Environmental Liability Directive;
Amendment 89 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Acknowledges that the types of rocks present in each individual region determine the design and method of extraction activities; calls for mandatory pre- authorisation precedingbaseline analysis of groundwater and geological analysis of the deep and shallow geology of a prospective shale play prior to authorisation, including reports on any past or present mining activities in the region;
Amendment 92 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11 a. Calls on the Commission to bring forward proposals to ensure Environmental Impact Assessment Directive provisions adequately cover the specificities of shale gas, shale oil, and coal bed methane exploration and extraction; insists that prior environmental impact assessment include full life cycle impacts on air quality, soil quality, water quality, geological stability, land use and noise pollution;
Amendment 95 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 b (new)
Paragraph 11 b (new)
11 b. Calls on the Commission to include hydraulic fracturing in Annex III of the Environmental Liability Directive and to require compulsory financial security or insurance in case of environmental damage;
Amendment 96 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 c (new)
Paragraph 11 c (new)
11 c. Considers it appropriate, in context of liability, considers it appropriate to provide for the reversal of the burden of proof for shale gas operators, where, in view of the nature of the disturbance and its adverse effects, other possible causes and any other circumstances, the balance of probability indicates that shale gas operations were the cause of the environmental damage;
Amendment 97 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 d (new)
Paragraph 11 d (new)
11 d. Calls on the Commission to bring forward proposals to explicitly include fracking fluids as 'hazardous waste' under Annex III of the European Waste Directive (2008/98/EC);
Amendment 98 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Recognises the relatively high water volumes involved in hydraulic fracturing; points out, however, that such volumes are not as significant in comparison to the needs of other industrial activities; highlights the need for advance water provision plans based on local hydrology; highlights the need for advance water provision plans based on local hydrology taking into account other competing water users, to inform the integrated environment and health impact assessment;
Amendment 106 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12 a. Recalls that Water Framework Directive requires Member States to implement the measures necessary to prevent the deterioration of the status of all bodies of groundwater, including from point sources such as hydrocarbon exploration and extraction;
Amendment 109 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Believes that, given the depth (over 3km) at which hydraulic fracturing takes place, the main immediate concern regarding groundwater contamination is often well integrity and; the quality of casing and cementing, including its ability to resist the high pressure of the liquid injected and the generated earth tremors, in addition to the concern related to the release and travel of hazardous chemicals and naturally occurring radioactive substances to water reservoirs;
Amendment 113 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13 a. Concurs with the Commission analysis that Article 11 (3)(j) of the Water Framework Directive does not allow the injection of flow back water for disposal into geological formations;
Amendment 117 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Stresses that effective prevention requires consistent monitoring of strict adherence to the established highest standards and practices in well-bore construction; underlines that both industry and competent authorities should ensure regular quality control for casing and cement integrity; points out that this requires significant human resources and technical expertise taking into account also the very high well density of such operations;
Amendment 122 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Believes that on-site closed-loop water recycling, using steel storage tanks, offers the most environmentally sound way of treating flow-back water by minimising water volumes, the potential for surface spills and costs/traffic/road damage relating to water treatment transportation; rejects injection of flow back waste waters for disposal;
Amendment 133 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Considers that there should be a mandatory obligation to declare the chemical content of fracturing fluidby any operator to disclose the information referred to in REACH Article 119(1) and (2) about all the chemicals to be used in fracturing fluid and to make publicly available the exposure scenarios and proposed risk reduction measures; maintains that full transparency and disclosure should be required of operators prior to any drilling ;
Amendment 136 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18 a. Calls on the Commission to request the European Chemicals Agency to conduct a manual analysis of registration dossiers, their updates and the notifications submitted by downstream user companies with regard to chemicals likely to be used in hydraulic fracturing for natural gas, oil or coal bed methane, so as to check whether the related exposure scenarios and risk management measures are adequate, within the times required by the REACH law, and report by end of 2012;
Amendment 140 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Notes that multi-horizontal-well drilling pads minimise land use and landscape disturbance over a larger area, but intensifies the impacts at the point of drilling over a longer period of time;
Amendment 143 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19 a. Notes that the production volumes of shale gas wells in the United States are characterized by a sharp decline after the first two years, which leads to a high intensity of continuous drilling for new wells, notes that the storage tanks, compressor stations and pipeline infrastructure further add to the land use impact of the shale gas activities;
Amendment 148 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 b (new)
Paragraph 19 b (new)
19 b. Points out that any favourable comparison of lifecycle ghg balance of shale gas compared to coal is dependent on a one-hundred year atmospheric lifetime assumption; considers that the necessity to peak global emissions by 2020 would warrant examination over a shorter period, e.g. 20 years as more appropriate; calls for further scientific research to fugitive methane emissions to improve accounting for such emissions under member states annual inventories and targets under Effort Sharing Decision;
Amendment 152 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 c (new)
Paragraph 19 c (new)
19 c. Urges the Commission to bring forward legislative proposals to make the use of a completion combustion device, i.e. 'green completions' mandatory for all shale gas wells in the EU, to limit flaring only in case of concerns about safety and to forbid venting of all shale gas wells completely, in an effort to reduce the fugitive methane emissions and volatile organic compounds linked to shale gas;
Amendment 156 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Recognises that drilling activities could temporarilyan worsen living conditions and calls, therefore, for all the necessary measures to be taken, in particular by the industry through the implementation of best available techniques and by the public authorities through the application of strict regulations, to minimise the adverse consequences of such activities;
Amendment 158 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20 a. Calls on all Member States, taking into account the negative environmental, health and land use impacts and where it is not possible to guarantee no deterioration of water resources from hydraulic fracturing, to suspend on-going shale gas or other UFF activities, and to refrain from further permits for any new projects, whether exploration or exploitation;
Amendment 162 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Believes that public participation should be ensured through adequate public information campaigns before exploration and through public consultation before theeach stage of exploitation stagesand exploration; calls for greater outreach and public education in UFF activititransparency of impacts, of chemicals and technologies used, as well as of all inspections and control measures in order to ensure public understanding, acceptance and confidence in the regulation of these activities;
Amendment 166 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Welcomes in this regard the 2012 EU budget appropriation for such a public dialogue and encourages the Member States to make use of this funding so as to ensure that citizens living in potential UFF development areas are better informed; and can effectively participate in decision making in their local and national governance structures;